Archive note: This text comes from the old archive of Nomika Epilekta and is carefully preserved for historical and informational reading.

153 members of parliament supported the government with their vote, granting a vote of confidence... Afterwards... The same things again. Cockfights. We are so few, with endless differences, that we surprise foreigners. They do not understand how we manage to disagree about everything. Without exception... Yet we do agree on one thing. We agree that we disagree permanently and across time...

We are the country of disagreement and mutual infighting. We fight over everything and with everyone. For no reason. Infighting has become the last Greek value...

We have also become a country of nonsense. We do not realize how much rubbish is said on television and radio. Only through repetition do we begin to suspect it. Long years of brainwashing and propaganda are to blame and, above all, ignorance.

Every citizen often thinks: could they all be fooling us? Right-wingers, left-wingers, left-right hybrids, centrists, and the others? That is the only certainty. The mockery is everywhere. And this happens because for many decades we have been fooled and we have also done the fooling. Politicians fool us, and we fool ourselves first and then as many others as we can.

We have ended up no longer being sincere, honest, direct, consistent, idealistic, altruistic, charitable, and virtuous. We forgot the virtues we once had, even love of country.

We gladly give a vote of confidence to the leader of the faction, rewarding his inadequacy and defects, and we never choose what benefits the country, not ourselves but others and the people.

In order to support someone, he must support our narrow personal petty interests and ourselves.

We vote and do not think about afterwards... What will happen after our shortsighted choice? We are not concerned with what comes afterwards because the present magnetizes us: support for the leader of the faction.

The theater of the vote of confidence of November 4, 2011 confirmed factionalism and showed that in many respects our country resembles Argentina. Not only in bankruptcy and economic downfall, nor in strikes and constant protests, but we may even acquire a Peron (Juan Peron) and Peronists. There are, however, two insurmountable difficulties: who will become the Greek Peron, and what will his followers be called, Samarasists, Kouvelists...? These difficulties may save us... Apart from the humiliation, which has now become indelible and follows us like our shadow...

We learned that after the vote of confidence, the prime minister will turn to the President of the Republic [Nomika Epilekta: "A prudent President or ...a flowerpot?"] in order to overcome the deadlock through the formation of a "government of national cooperation" according to Mrs. Dora. Perhaps a "transitional government" like Libya's is needed?

The second strongest party in parliament must also cooperate. It would be good for the other parties to help as well.

However, the party leaders think, confer, consult, discuss separately, talk, and hold meetings about whether they will support a government that will remove the deadlock.

The party representatives continue to make foolish statements, as if returning to an old familiar trade. They all speak at the same time on television appearances.

One tries to silence the other. To make him disappear. To prevent him from being heard. Rarely can one understand what they are saying. They, however, keep talking. And what do they not say...

In the end, everyone admits that we are halfway down the cliff or on the edge of the abyss. And yet the various political factors refuse to reach an understanding about "what comes afterwards".

As a first step of the new government, an agreement is required for strict control of the shameful appointments. Of all appointments.

This disgrace must not be allowed to continue. The party bosses must not appoint people uncontrollably in order to secure their own reelection. For this reason, after the vote of confidence and the normalization of the situation, whenever that happens and if it is achieved, legislation is required for popular oversight of all appointments in the public sector. All party appointments should be deemed invalid, with a simultaneous penalty imposed on the person making the appointment, who so shamelessly abuses his authority.

But immediately, reason must be activated so that the rusted professional politicians are driven away. Young people with dreams, strength, knowledge, and abilities must be supported. They must take the helm of Greece's vessel with steady hands. They must guide it to the safety of social calm, economic growth, and, above all, national dignity.

E. Papadakis